Tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul: Deaths reach 90 after devastating floods
Another four deaths are under investigation by the State. The number of missing is 132, while 361 people are injured. The storms affected more than 1.3 million people.
General view of the houses affected by the flooding of the Jacuí River in Eldorado do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul - Photo Reproduction/Anselmo Cunha / AFP
The amount of fatalities resulting from storms in Rio Grande do Sul was updated to 90 by the state Civil Defense. The report released today, Tuesday (07), also indicates that 4 more deaths are in the process of being investigated. Records point to 132 people missing and 361 injured. The number of displaced people reaches 203.8 thousand, of which 48.1 thousand are in shelters, while 155.7 thousand are homeless, staying in the homes of family or friends. The impacts of the storm affected 388 of the 497 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul, impacting around 1.3 million inhabitants.
Situation at the moment
According to the latest official statement from the state government, there is no accurate count of locations without power within the CEEE Equatorial concession area. A company spokesperson previously mentioned that approximately 170,000 homes were without electricity in Porto Alegre. Meanwhile, RGE Sul reported that around 270,000 points are without electricity in its area of operation. Corsan reported that there are a total of 750 thousand consumers without water supply in the state, and in Porto Alegre, the Municipal Department of Water and Sewage (DMAE) indicated that 70% of the city is affected by the lack of water.
In view of this, Mayor Sebastião Melo (MDB) asked the population to make rational use of water resources. The operator Tim reported that 38 municipalities are without telephone and internet services, while Vivo faces coverage problems in 28 cities and Claro in 19 municipalities. To help maintain communication during the storms that have hit the state since April 29, operators have made free internet packages available to their customers in Rio Grande do Sul.
The government of Rio Grande do Sul states that 789 schools in 216 municipalities are facing difficulties, with 386 of them damaged, 52 serving as shelters and other areas facing transport and access problems. This situation is directly affecting 273 thousand students. State classes resumed this Tuesday in several regions, including Uruguaiana, Osório, Erechim, Rio Grande, Palmeira das Missões, Três Passos, São Luiz Gonzaga, São Borja and Ijuí.
The government is still evaluating whether activities will be resumed in other regions, such as Caxias do Sul, Pelotas, Passo Fundo, Santa Maria, Cruz Alta, Bagé, Santo Ângelo, Bento Gonçalves, Santa Rosa, Santana do Livramento, Vacaria, Soledade, Gravataí and Carazinho. The areas of Porto Alegre, São Leopoldo, Estrela, Guaíba, Cachoeira do Sul and Canoas do not yet have a scheduled date for the return of classes.
At 99 points on 42 state roads, there are records of partial and total blockages. On the federal road network, the Federal Highway Police (PRF) identified 58 blockages, including 19 partial ones. The Brazilian Association of Airlines (Abear) announced the indefinite closure of Salgado Filho Airport, in Porto Alegre, with all operations suspended. Images reveal flooded areas in waiting areas, passenger circulation and even in aircraft landing areas. Passengers scheduled to travel to or from Porto Alegre have the right to request compensation from airlines.
Calamity Situation
A state of calamity was declared by the state government, which was promptly recognized by the federal government. This recognition allows the state to seek federal resources for civil defense measures, including humanitarian assistance, repairing infrastructure and restoring vital services. Civil Defense warned of the imminent risk of overflow in a large part of the state's river basins.
Forecast in the State
Comparative view of before and after the tragedy in Rio Grande do Sul – Photographic Reproduction/Inpe
Meteorology experts point out that storms in Rio Grande do Sul are the result of at least three local phenomena, exacerbated by climate change. Over the next 24 hours, more precipitation is expected. The crisis in the state is attributed to vigorous wind currents, a band of humidity coming from the Amazon that intensifies the intensity of rain, and an atmospheric blockage caused by heat waves.
The forecast of rain from the middle of this week in areas already affected by storms is once again putting the state on alert. Images captured by the Amazônia 1 satellite, operated by the National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), reveal a comparative view of the before and after of the greatest tragedy ever to occur in Rio Grande do Sul. The mayor of Porto Alegre, Sebastião Melo (MDB), advised residents of the Cidade Baixa and Menino Deus neighborhoods to leave the region, issuing the warning on Monday afternoon (06), when water began to flood the area.
Arena do Grêmio, in Porto Alegre, announced that it no longer has the capacity to shelter the homeless. In addition to the flooded lawn, the administration reported a lack of water and electricity, resulting in the transport of more than 300 people to municipal shelters. Field hospitals were established by the federal government to meet the needs of injured and displaced people. To date, the municipalities of Estrela, Canoas and São Leopoldo have been covered by these structures.
